Ethics in Federal Civil Service: Bribes and Conflicts of Interest

Introduction to Ethics in Federal Civil Service

Bureau of Land Management and Department of the Interior training videos illustrate a wide variety of issues related to ethics in administrative civil service positions. All of the ethical dilemmas and issues addressed are outlined and codified in publications and handbooks. However, no booklet can cover the nuances and full extent of every ethical situation, and especially the trickiest conundrums. As the videos point out, there is no substitute for actual advice from a skilled professional in the field of ethics counseling. This is why departments like the BLM or the Fish and Wildlife Service keep ethics counselors on staff. Ethics counselors are available to answer questions and resolve dilemmas as they arise, thereby preventing problems that can lead to severe penalties ranging from fines to probation and even imprisonment.

All employees are responsible for their own ethical conduct, which is why it is not possible to plead ignorance in cases like those illustrated in the videos. Likewise, managers are especially responsible for their own actions and are also accountable for the conduct of their employees. Three of the most common ethical dilemmas presented in the videos — which correspond with universal ethical codes — are bribes, conflicts of interest, and outside employment.

Bribery: Clear Rules and Gray Areas

According to the videos, it is unacceptable under any and all circumstances for a government employee to accept outside gifts or cash in connection with his or her official work. Bribery might seem like a clear-cut scenario in which it is obvious whether the government worker was acting unethically. However, there are many gray areas and situations in which a gift or form of compensation does not appear to be a bribe on its face. There are also cases in which gifts are acceptable. According to the United States Department of Justice (2015), gifts of small monetary value (less than $20) and "items of little intrinsic value which are intended solely for presentation" — such as awards, snacks, and soft drinks — are all acceptable to receive. It may even be ethical to accept a gift from a fellow employee who happens to be a lifelong friend or relative (United States Department of Justice, 2015).

It is unethical, however, to accept gifts that have anything to do with the performance of an official act, or "when a gift is offered by a person or organization whose interests could be affected by your official actions" (United States Department of Justice, 2015). In the BLM videos related to bribery, the story of Mike Peters — a Senior Analyst for NASA — illustrates how such violations occur. Peters recommended Peace software for a government contract, but it later emerged that he had previously worked for the company and had deliberately disguised his payments from them. Peters was charged not only with bribery but also with conflict of interest and falsification of financial information. His case demonstrates how bribery often intersects with other ethical code violations: in Peters' situation, bribery, conflict of interest, and undisclosed outside employment were all core violations arising from a single course of conduct.

Conflicts of Interest in Administrative Settings

Conflicts of interest comprise a large proportion of ethical dilemmas within the administrative environment. It can be difficult to distinguish between an honest convergence of personal and professional interests and a genuine conflict. Therefore, employees must consult with their ethics counselor if even the slightest potential for a conflict of interest arises in relation to government work. Conflict of interest, like bribery, is clearly outlined in ethical codes and statutes, yet it may still be necessary to seek professional ethical counseling when faced with a specific dilemma.

For example, the videos refer to several cases in which government employees were penalized for conflicts of interest. One notable example involves a government employee who awarded a contract to a firm that subsequently subcontracted work to another firm owned by the employee's spouse. The conflict of interest was not immediately apparent because the firm that received the original contract was not directly owned by the employee's spouse — the connection only emerged after a thorough investigation. This case illustrates an important principle: any time a government employee has a financial stake in a company, that employee cannot make any recommendations related to that company. The employee must disclose their relationship with the organization and allow colleagues to make decisions independently. Information about conflict of interest standards in public administration underscores how seriously these obligations are treated across jurisdictions.

Conclusion: Navigating Complex Ethical Dilemmas

Ethical dilemmas are complex issues, and each case must be evaluated independently. Employees who are public servants need to be cautious and aware of the strict ethical codes that govern their professional actions. Some ethical dilemmas are relatively straightforward, such as a direct bribe offered to a public official to influence that official's decisions. Other dilemmas are far more difficult to analyze and require the assistance of a qualified ethics counselor. Written codes and handbooks provide essential guidance, but they cannot anticipate every scenario — making access to professional ethical counsel an indispensable resource for federal employees at every level.

References

Government of Canada. (2015). Panel on research ethics. Retrieved from

MLB National Training Center. (2009, September 22). Retrieved from

United States Department of Justice. (2015). Do it right. Retrieved from